Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

What term is used when symptoms of a diagnosable illness are attributed to airborne contaminants?

1. Building-related illness

2. Outdoor air quality syndrome

3. Chronic exposure syndrome

4. Indoor air pollution effects

The correct answer is: Building-related illness

The term "Building-related illness" is used to describe a situation where identifiable symptoms of a diagnosable illness can be directly attributed to specific airborne contaminants found within a building. This condition arises when individuals experience health issues that can be linked to exposure to various pollutants such as mold, dust, chemical vapors, or biological agents that are present in the indoor environment. In this context, the symptoms are often consistent and can be related to the specific nature of the contaminants. The diagnostic criteria typically involve addressing direct causative factors linked to the building itself. As a result, building-related illness remains critically relevant in discussions about workplace safety, health regulations, and environmental quality within healthcare facilities and other buildings. The other terms mentioned do not accurately capture the specific attribution of illness to airborne contaminants in a building context. Outdoor air quality syndrome generally refers to health problems arising from outdoor pollutants, while chronic exposure syndrome is more related to long-term health effects without a specific focus on building-related environmental factors. Lastly, indoor air pollution effects, while related, do not specifically denote a diagnosable illness with identifiable contaminants, but rather a broader term for the various influences of pollution inside structures.